What Do Persistent Swelling Of The Lymph Nodes Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 21 Mar 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 21 Mar 2017 Answered on

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi there I have a lymph gland on neck it's been palpable for ages I had an ultrasound done they said it was normal nothing sinister , it's not got any bigger or anything could this be cancerous or anything?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Not suggestive of cancer,

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

As it is there for ages and without any growth, it is not likely to be cancer. And the ultrasound is normal. So there is nothing to worry.

Hope this helps.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (20 minutes later)

Ok the ultrasound said it was nothing sinister and just looked normal would the ultrasound have showed cancer or lymphoma ?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
If abnormal lymph node, it would show up in ultrasound

Detailed Answer:
normal and abnormal lymph nodes are visually different on ultrasound. So in case of cancer or lymphoma it would have raised a flag.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (19 hours later)

Ok dr could you help me with one more thing Hi there I suffer from raynaulds and I have noticed it is freezing outside and my lips also look purpleish blue tinge is this normal ? I have had multiple tests on heart including ecgs stress test echo chest X-ray loads of blood tests d dimer tests I'm also pregnant at the moment could this be a blood clot or heart problem as I'm really worried ? Could this be a blood clot

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be normal

Detailed Answer:
If it is freezing outside, it is quite natural to have purplish lips and fingertips.

All the tests are also normal. So there is nothing to worry.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (11 minutes later)

Would there be more symptoms if it was blood clot in lung ? Thanks dr

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Sure

Detailed Answer:
if there was blood clot in the lungs, there would be much severe symptoms. And all the tests would not have been normal.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (21 minutes later)

Ok well my nailbeds are purple i feel quite breathless im also pregnant .. i had these tests about 5 months ago and it was down to anxiety and panic attacks but im just worried that maybe its been a blood clot or clots all along can they lie in the lungs for that long ? And what other symptoms would i have ?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Untreated blood clot in lungs is fatal,

Detailed Answer:
if it is clot in lungs and left undiagnosed and untreated for so long then the person can't survive. Symptoms of cough, breathlessness and chest pain would progress relentlessly. So it is very unlikely to be that.

Pregnancy itself can cause some breathlessness. So check with your OBG if it is within normal limits.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (32 minutes later)

Ok do you think it could be any blood clots in lungs ? Would my oxygen levels be affected ?

Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (20 hours later)

Brief Answer:
With blood clots in lung oxygenation affected

Detailed Answer:
In that case, oxygen levels are severely affected and oxygen supplementation required.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar